Free Syrian Army fighters and civilians search for survivors amid the rubble of collapsed buildings after what activists said was shelling by forces loyal to Syria's President Bashar al-Assad in the city of Aleppo in August. Amnesty International has used satellite imagery to show that destroyed buildings are disproportionately found in opposition-held neighborhoods.

The study found hundreds of damaged or destroyed buildings, disproportionately in opposition-held neighborhoods, and a proliferation of roadblocks, with more than 1,000 visible in imagery from late May.

Satellite imagery allows the organization to gather critical data quickly and without putting witnesses or researchers in danger, says Scott Edwards, project manager for Amnesty’s Science for Human Rights project. He says the organization will continue to use multiple channels to collect information about abuses.

Satellite imagery of Syria shows damaged or destroyed buildings and a growing number of roadblocks and camps for displaced people.

“In many ways, Syria has become one very large crime scene,” he says. “Actors on the ground should be aware that there are satellites overhead and a wealth of video evidence emanating out of the country.”